Japan hit by magnitude 7 earthquake, PM Takaichi sets up task force
Tokyo, June 25
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday advised citizens to remain vigilant after an earthquake with its epicenter off the coast of Iwate Prefecture occurred, and a strong shaking with a maximum seismic intensity of 6-upper was observed in Hashikami Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Takaichi instructed relevant ministries and agencies to provide timely and accurate information to the public regarding evacuation and damage, and said there is no concern about a tsunami.
"Around 7:30 a.m. today, an earthquake with its epicenter off the coast of Iwate Prefecture occurred, and a strong shaking with a maximum seismic intensity of 6-upper was observed in Hashikami Town, Aomori Prefecture. There is no concern about a tsunami," she said in a post on X.
"To those in the areas where the shaking was strong, I ask that you continue to remain vigilant for the possibility of earthquakes of similar intensity. From now on, I will receive detailed reports and take charge of the disaster response," she added.
The National Center for Seismology assessed the earthquake was of 7 magnitude on the Richter Scale.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 7.0, On: 25/06/2026 04:00:15 IST, Lat: 40.096 N, Long: 142.366 E, Depth: 64 Km, Location: North Pacific Ocean."
A mild quake was also felt in Tokyo, The Japan Times reported.
An upper 6 is when people can only crawl and are unable to walk during an earthquake. Unsecured furniture will topple over, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
The Prime Minister's Office has set up a task force over the quake.
Takaichi said, "The government, immediately after the earthquake, established the Prime Minister's Office Response Room at the Crisis Management Center in the Prime Minister's Office, convened an emergency task force at the director-general level from relevant ministries and agencies, and based on my instructions, is fully committed to responses such as assessing the damage situation, rescue and relief efforts, and providing timely and accurate information to the public."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Living in India where we face lesser quakes, I can't imagine the constant vigilance needed in Japan. Their building codes and drills are next level. Sending prayers and good vibes to everyone in the affected areas. Stay strong, Japan! 🙏
Hats off to Japan's disaster management. They've faced so many quakes and still bounce back. But let's not forget, in India we also need to improve our own preparedness. Our NDMA should learn from Japan's best practices. Every second counts in such situations.
PM Takaichi's prompt establishment of a task force is exactly what leadership should look like. Meanwhile, some caution: just because there's no tsunami risk now doesn't mean aftershocks can't cause landslides or other issues. Hope the response stays proactive.
Imagine a 7.0 magnitude quake happening so early in the morning. Scary stuff. But Japan's infrastructure is built to withstand such shocks. Still, I hope the elderly and children in Iwate and Aomori are safe. A quick and thorough damage assessment is crucial now.
One thing I appreciate is how transparent and immediate Japanese authorities are with information. No hiding, no delays. "There is no concern about a tsunami" - clear and direct. We need this kind of clarity in our own disaster communication back home.
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